The Story Behind the Ethical Bag Brand That Now Counts Meghan Markle as an Investor [Video]

As well as championing Cesta Collective’s bags, Meghan has now invested a minority stake in the company. It’s easy to see why the Duchess is such a fan of the brand, given the mission its founders set out with. After being introduced by a mutual friend, Fasciano, a former fashion editor, and Ryder, then a brand director, quickly bonded over their disillusionment with the fashion industry. “We decided that instead of both leaving the industry altogether, why don’t we harness our skills for good, and do something we can feel really proud about?” Ryder recalls.

The pair became interested in supporting handcraft, and specifically, the art of basket weaving. “It’s a huge source of economic independence for women around the world,” Fasciano explains. “A lot of the women that we work with do their weaving at home, so they’re able to care for their children and livestock, and have a …